Abstract: A power plant support structure for supporting a power plant of a vehicle includes a center frame extending in a lengthwise direction of the car body. The center frame is connected, at its lengthwise ends, to front and rear cross members, disposed forward and rearward of the power plant and extending between front side frames. A front mount is secured to the center frame before the power plant and connects the power plant to the center frame. The center frame absorbs an impact exerted on the power plant during a front-end collision of the vehicle.

Abstract: An energy absorbing apparatus includes first and second telescopingly arranged members. A non-deformable ring is mounted on one end of one of the members and engages a plurality of projections extending from the side wall of the other member. The projections extend longitudinally along the other member and are provided in various lengths, widths, heights and numbers to provide selective force versus displacement characteristics during the telescoping collapse of the first and second members with respect to each other. Preferably, the first and second members form a steering column housing for a vehicle steering apparatus.

Abstract: Impact-absorbing bumper mount with two telescoping tubes, in particular for motor vehicles, to decelerate a vehicle via damping forces when the vehicle strikes an obstacle, whereby a work piston is guided in a sealed manner in one of the tubes, and with which, in addition to a weight reduction, it is also possible to simplify the fabrication process, reduce costs and achieve sufficient corrosion protection. The invention teaches that this problem can be solved by tubes which have recesses on their inside and outside, and which are coated with a polymeric material.

Abstract: An energy absorbing beam construction for use in vehicle seat belt restraining systems includes an energy absorbing beam which is mounted or fastened to a vehicle frame or vehicle seat frame. The seat belt retracting mechanism or belt buckle end of the seat belt restraining system can then be mounted to the energy absorbing beam. In use, when the vehicle is subjected to a head-on collision, the energy absorbing beam deforms elastically at collision speeds less than a target speed and deforms plastically at speeds greater than this to minimize injury to a vehicle occupant that may occur as a result of seat belt restraint.

Abstract: An anchor device for a seat belt for connecting, to a vehicle, a webbing for restraining an occupant to a seat so that a load applied to the webbing is received by the vehicle body. The anchor device includes a frame on which an anchor for locking the webbing is supported, a shock absorbing member which is secured at one end to the frame and at the other end to the vehicle body and which is capable of being deformed by a load applied to the frame, and a coupling member for coupling a portion of the shock absorbing member near the other end to the frame. The coupling member is broken or deformed by the load applied to the frame to separate the frame and the shock absorbing member from each other. Thus, when a load is applied from the webbing to the anchor of the seat belt, the anchor is moved properly to absorb the shock.

Abstract: A telescopic shaft for use in a motor vehicle steering column. The telescopic shaft comprises at least two tubular members of circular cross section which fit one into the interior of the other. The tubular members have longitudinally grooved regions which define a set of longitudinal ribs and are meshed with one another. Such meshing prevents relative rotational movement between the tubular members and allows relative axial movement therebetween. At least one of the tubular members includes at least one projection directed toward the other tubular member(s) and engaging an end of at least one longitudinal rib. Sliding of the tubular members with respect to one another can only occur when deformation of the longitudinal rib(s) engaged by the projection(s) also occurs. The telescopic shaft therefore provides a braking action whenever it is forcefully collapsed.

Abstract: A shock absorber comprises a tubular sleeve (46) and a load applying member (45) having a nut (47) normally in engagement with an end of the sleeve (46). Under loading the nut is drawn into the sleeve to cause permanent radial deformation of the sleeve wall thereby absorbing the loading.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a tiltable steering shaft includes: a fixed bracket A having a pair of fixing/supporting members A.sub.1 which are connected to each other by means of a U-shaped connecting member 5 so as to be arranged laterally symmetrically at an appropriate distance therebetween; a movable bracket B having a pair of side plates 6 which are arranged in face-to-face relation to each other at an appropriate distance therebetween, the side plates 6 of the movable bracket B being secured to a steering column 2, the movable bracket B being disposed between the fixing/supporting members A1 of the fixed bracket A in such a manner as to be capable of being raised or lowered and of being secured at an appropriate position by means of a tilt-adjusting bar 9. A pair of abutting ends 6a of the side plates 6 of the movable bracket B are capable of abutting against a pair of abutted ends 5a of the connecting member 5 only when an impact load has occurred.

Abstract: An impact-absorbing shock absorber with two telescoping tubes, in particular for motor vehicles, for decelerating, as a result of hydraulic damping forces and pneumatic spring forces, a vehicle which collides with an obstacle, has an inner tube closed by a bottom, a gas chamber adjacent to the bottom and containing a gas cushion at high pressure, a separating piston guided in a sealed manner so that it can move inside the inner tube, a first fluid chamber, a partition which has throttle openings, and a second fluid chamber which is connected via the throttle openings of the partition to the first fluid chamber. Above a defined energy absorption threshold, the partition is can be displaced from its original installed position toward the gas chamber, with an accompanying change in the shape of the inner tube.

Abstract: A shock absorber for fall protection systems is described. It is comprised of elongated first and second side-by-side inelastic elements having proximal and distal ends; means for attaching the distal end of said first inelastic element to the proximal end of said second inelastic element; a plurality of paired opposing first and second openings extending along the length of said first and second inelastic elements; and, a plurality of energy absorbing cables, extending, respectively, through said plurality of opposing pairs of openings, said energy absorbing cables having at each end thereof means to prevent withdrawal of said energy absorbing cables through the openings and said energy absorbing cables being of progressively longer lengths, whereby application of above normal shock loads on said shock absorber will cause the energy absorbing cables to break in sequence beginning with the shortest length shock absorbing cable.

Abstract: An impact damper for supporting a bumper of a vehicle on the latter's chassis consists of two tubes one guided within the other, the external tube having at least one inwards-directed projection reinforced by a reinforcement ring and engaging with a suited depression of the internal tube. A deformation face is formed on the projection and tapers towards the axis of the tubes.

Abstract: The press brake comprises a pressure ram member which is driven by two operating cylinders engaging the pressure ram member in the region of its two lateral ends. The pressure ram member has an upper and a lower portion which abut against each other in a central contact area and which are separated from each other by two gaps each running from the central contact area to the lateral ends, whereby the gap width continuously increases. Under load, the lower portion of the pressure ram member and the stationary ram member are deflected in the same sense. The degree of free deflection of the lower portion of the pressure ram member is limited by an adjustably mounted wedge member located in the gaps between the upper and lower portions of the pressure ram member. With this measure, the parallelism of the deflection lines is always maintained, even under extreme load situations.

Abstract: An energy absorber is formed of a fiber reinforced composite into a cylinder having a plurality of portions so that the thickness of the body gradually increases in at least two stages in the axial direction. Reinforcing fiber is wound around at least in a circumferential direction of the body and is impregnated with a resin. The body of the energy absorber has a thin portion continuous to a first end. The end surface of the first end has an area equal to or smaller than 2/3 of the cross-sectional area of the thin portion the vicinity of the junction between the thin portion and the portion adjacent which is thicker than that thin portion. That cross-sectional area of the thin portion continuously increases to the middle of the thin portion from the first end side. The energy absorber is used in a state where impact is applied from the axial direction of the body.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprises an elongated steering column extending upwardly and rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. The steering column is of a type which rises to a greater angle to the horizontal when the vehicle is involved in a head-on collision. The steering wheel/air bag assembly at the upper end of the steering column is placed at an unfavorable position with respect to the driver's chest when the steering column rises in a collision. The steering column is mounted so that it will incline further upwardly when the driver is thrown forwardly during the collision and his chest strikes the steering wheel/air bag assembly. An energy absorbing bracket is provided to resist and retard the further upward inclination of the steering column in order to ease and soften the impact on the driver. The steering column is composed of a lower section and an upper section arranged end-to-end.

Abstract: A shock energy absorbing device provides shock protection for the riser l employed to attach an aerodynamic deceleration device to a primary body during deployment of the system into an airstream. During deployment, for example, by dropping an unopened parachute and attached load or by rocket delivery of the unopened parachute and attached load, the parachute is made to open at a desired altitude wherupon very large shock tension forces are generated which are applied to the line. In order to protect the line from failing under these forces and to reduce the requirement for a bulky, heavy line, a shock absorber is provided in the form of a block having one or more breakable web portions formed therein and through which the riser line is threaded. Upon deployment of the system into an airstream, the shock tension forces operate to fracture some or all of the breakable web portions thereby dissipating the shock energy generated during deployment and protecting the riser line from failure.

Abstract: A power plant support structure for supporting a power plant of a vehicle includes a center frame extending in a lengthwise direction of the car body. The center frame is connected, at its lengthwise ends, to front and rear cross members, disposed forward and rearward of the power plant and extending between front side frames. A front mount is secured to the center frame before the power plant and connects the power plant to the center frame. The center frame absorbs an impact exerted on the power plant during a front-end collision of the vehicle.

Abstract: A crash damper for vehicles comprises two securing elements, by way of which it can be secured to the bumper on the one hand and to the body of the vehicle on the other hand. In order to be able to compensate manufacturing tolerances of the body of the vehicle, an adjustment device is provided for adjusting the distance between the securing elements.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a safety belt system having a belt retractor (10) featuring an automatic blocking mechanism, the belt (14) running in a straight line from the belt retractor to a deflector fitting (12), comprises a U-shaped deflector fitting (18) mounting a pivotal bracket (22) perpendicular to the run of the belt in the rest condition. When the belt tensioner is activated the pivotal bracket (22) is pulled through between the base of a deflector fitting (18) and a supporting member (20) secured thereto to form a belt loop. An uncoupling/force limiter assembly (36) is arranged in the path of the cable (34, 38) connected to the pivotal bracket. This assembly comprises a guide tube (50) supported by the vehicle body and a converter tube (52) accommodated therein telescopically which is shiftable up to a stop at the base of the guide tube (50) and which permits force limitation and conversion of energy due to plastic material deformation when the belt is tensioned.

Abstract: A shock absorber which is especially adapted for use in conjunction with a horizontal safety cable plasticly deforms under the impact load of a falling worker. The shock absorber has a break away housing so that upon inspection, the shock can be identified if it has been subjected to an impact. The absorber is also configured to impart a tautness to the safety cable and visually indicate the attainment of the preferred cable pre-tension force.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing fastened structure includes first and second platelike members which are tightly fastened by a fastener having a shaft portion. The shaft portion is passed through first and second through holes which are mated with each other and respectively formed through the first and second members. The first member is formed with an energy-absorbing means for absorbing a heavy shock load which exceeds a predetermined magnitude and is applied to the fastened structure. The absorbing means is to be deformed by the shaft portion which is forced to move together with the second member relative to the first member. With this, damages to the second member is prevented or at least minimized.

Abstract: A gas spring with a piston reciprocable in a chamber of a casing, a sealing assembly at the rear end of the casing through which the piston rod extends, and an end cap closing the rear end of the casing. The sealing assembly has a reinforcing ring having a sealing ring on one side and a wiper on the other side. The sealing ring and wiper are portions of a single body of elastomeric material molded to the reinforcing ring and integrally connected through one or more openings in the reinforcing ring. The casing wall is rolled radially inwardly over the sealing assembly into pressure contact with the reinforcing ring so that the sealing assembly becomes in effect an end cap for the front end of the casing. The rear end of the casing is rolled over the rear end cap by swaging into pressure contact with the end cap. A filler valve is disposed in the end cap.

Abstract: The invention provides a hydraulically operated press brake with a vertically displaceable upper pressure ram member. The pressing force is induced in the region of the two lateral ends thereof. A cooperating stationary ram member is arranged opposite to the movable ram member and is freely suspended in the region of its two lateral ends. The upper movable ram member is subdivided into two portions, whereby the two portions rest on each other at a centrally located contact area. From this contact area, two gaps extend approximately horizontally, both having increasing width from the contact area to the lateral ends of the ram member. The pressing power is induced into the upper ram member portion. Thus, it can be achieved that the upper ram member and the lower ram member are deflected in the same sense under load such that the deflection lines run essentially parallel to each other.

Abstract: A device to absorb energy transmitted through a steering column for a vehicle in the event of a vehicle crash and/or driver impact on the steering wheel includes a slotted member in the form of a saddle bracket for connection to a steering column, a second member in the form of a bolt or the like extending through the slot of the first member and a third member in the form of a strap which is arranged to restrict relative movement between the first and second members upon vehicle crash, etc. The strap is stiff but ductile and is wrapped over the bolt so that, if the steering column collapses, the bolt will move in a direction out of the slot of the first member and run into the strap which is then unwrapped, thereby absorbing energy transmitted through the steering column. The strap can also itself be slotted.

Abstract: An intrusion beam structure for reinforcing a vehicle door includes an elongated member adapted to be attached to a surface of the inner panel of a door frame that is substantially parallel to the axis defined by the elongated member. The elongated member includes first and second end portions interdisposed by a middle portion. The end portions are substantially identical and each taper away from the middle portion. In a first embodiment, the elongated member is unitarily formed and has a substantially circular cross-section. In a second embodiment, the elongated member includes first and second bar portions which substantially traverse the entire length of the elongated member and are disposed substantially parallel to each other. The first and second bar portions are separated by an intermediate structure.

Abstract: The shock absorber comprises a strut, a sliding rod slidably mounted relative to the strut and co-operating therewith to define both a shock absorbing chamber and a raising chamber which is connected to a member for feeding it with raising liquid, a dip tube defining a lowering chamber and connected to a member for feeding it with a lowering liquid, and in which a lowering piston is disposed, which piston has one face in contact with the shock absorbing liquid, and an anti-crash tube mounted to slide relative to the sliding rod and including an energy-absorbing member.

Abstract: A protective door guard beam for motor vehicles is disclosed, comprised of interfit beam segments, each welded to a respective door lock or hinge flange. The beam segments allow limited telescoping of the beam segments to avoid gross deformation of the door flanges during impact to prevent disengagement of the door lock. An interlock comes into engagement as the beam is deformed sufficiently to approach the inside of the door.

Abstract: A steering column bracket assembly for a collapsible vehicle steering column includes at least one support bracket for attaching one portion of the steering column to vehicle support structure and a mounting bracket for attaching another portion of the steering column to vehicle support structure and including a structure for restraining movement of the steering column along its longitudinal axis. The steering column bracket assembly also includes a structure attached to the mounting bracket for absorbing energy of the steering column during a collision type impact of the vehicle.

Abstract: A personnel fall-arrest system including a flexible safety track (1) which is anchored in spaced relation to a fixture (2) by track anchors (4), and a coupling component (7) for connecting a worker's safety harness to the track via a safety line (8), the component (7) being freely displaceable along the track. Each of the track anchors (4) is formed so that it becomes permanently deformed if subjected to heavy loading due to a fall, thereby signalling that the system requires to be checked and re-certified before further use.

Abstract: A deformation structure includes a hollow member and a tapered deformation member having a smaller diameter than the hollow member and arranged to be inverted into the hollow member in response to an applied force. The hollow member has a pleat-denting response to higher applied forces so that the pleat engages the surface of the inverted deformation member within the hollow member.

Abstract: In a tilt steering column assembly, there is provided a tilt lock mechanism comprising upper and lower toothed bars which extend along the column assembly, and which are formed with rack-like teeth, and pivotally supported by upper and lower steering columns, respectively. The bars are both placed between two side walls of a lock member having inclined cam slots which move the bars into and out of engagement. The toothed bars engaged with each other to lock the tilt steering column assembly securely in a selected tilt position.

Abstract: In an impact absorbing type steering column device, edges of a flat plate portion provided at an end portion of an energy absorbing member are bent to form bent-over sides which are attached to the outer surface of a steering column to provide a space where the energy absorbing member can be guidingly displaced.

Abstract: The shock absorber disclosed herein includes an elongate strip of a webbed material or fabric. Both ends of the fabric are cut a short distance along the longitudinal axis of the strip of material, and then one end of the strip is twisted a half turn, or 180.degree.. The two ends of the webbing are brought together, and the juxtaposed halves of the separate ends may then be folded back on themselves and sewn together to form a loop. One loop may now be fastened as by a safety hook to a worker's safety belt or harness, and the other end fastened as by a double locking snap hook to a rope or cable attached to a fixed structure such as a building or scaffolding. The excess length of webbing may be folded back onto itself until it fits compactly into a housing or casing. The housing or casing must be releasable so as not to interfere with the tearing action of the strip of webbing should the worker fall off the structure to which the shock absorber is attached.

Abstract: Shock absorber for motor vehicles having an outside tube and at least one inside tube, the tube lying on the inside projecting out of the outside tube and the part of the inside tube lying within the outside tube having a larger outside diameter than the inside diameter of the outside tube interacting with it. The tube lying on the outside has two bores going through it perpendicular to its lengthwise axis, and at least one of the bores is placed in the area containing the inside tube, and the inside tube has, in the area of this bore in the outside tube, continuous lengthwise slots that overlap the borehole. Holes are present on the car body that overlap the crosswise bores and screws are provided that go through the holes on the car body and the crosswise bores. The shock absorber absorbs force through deformation of the outside tube by the inside tube as it is pushed by an impact on a free end of the inside tube which may carry a vehicle bumper, for example.

Abstract: An energy absorption apparatus disposed between a pair of structures which are movable relative to each other, comprising a first operating member connected to one of the structure, a second operating member connected to the other structure, and a plastic deformation member made of a superplastic material provided between the first and second operating member and subjected to plastic deformation depending on a relative movement between the first and second operating member, and a combining layer provided between the one operating member and the plastic deformation member and having a plastic yield stress larger than the plastic deformation member, the bonding strength between the combining layer and the plastic deformation member being larger than the plasticity yield stress of the plastic deformation member.

Abstract: A front leg (1) is formed by an upright support rod extending vertically above a fixing stud (8), a rear leg (2) is formed by both a lower support rod (2a) extending on a diagonal line joining the upper end of the front leg and the lower end of the rear leg and an upper support rod (2b) contiguous to the lower support rod (2a) in an upper position relative to the lower support rod, the upper support rod (2b) being curved arcuately and inclined rearwardly upwards, and an energy absorber (12) is mounted bridgewise as a diagonal member between the upper end portion of the front leg and the lower end portion of the rear leg, to constitute a leg structure. Accordingly to this leg structure, a striking energy is absorbed by an anti-plastic deformation force induced when the rear leg (2) and the energy absorber (12) is deformed plastically under an impact larger than a predetermined value, and the seat is held at its supported posture in normal use.

Abstract: A rod with an increased capacity for buckling under length-wise load has a central portion bent in the form of an omega with a central bend joined to end portions by elbows. The cross-section of the central portion is formed, for example by plastic deformation, into the shape of a bow-tie or the mathematical symbol "infinity" which consists of two lateral lobes connected by a thin central core and which is inscribed in a rectangle of which the length is equal to at least twice its width. Such rod is used as a shaft in a motor vehicle safety steering column.

Abstract: A mechanism for absorbing energy transmitted through a vehicle steering column in an impact situation having a steering column support bracket which houses a clamp bolt for positionally adjusting the steering column. The bolt is located by cam/spacers which are located in a slot; a slanted slot extension is provided which has a smaller width than the diameter of the bolt. Upon impact by the driver into the steering wheel, the bolt is forced into the slot extension, thereby deforming the slot which absorbs energy as it yields.

Abstract: A safety line shock absorber that is designed to gradually break the fall and stop the user without the shock that occurs when the standard lanyard reaches full extension. The shock absorber incorporates the structure of a bungy cord in combination with an elongated strip of flat webbing that is folded longitudinally upon itself a plurality of times in an accordian type manner to form a plurality of lapped portions. A plurality of transverse rows of stitching across the respective lapped portions will tear apart and allow the webbing to be stretched out to its unfolded length when excessive force is applied to the longitudinal axis of the safety line shock absorber when a workman hooked up to the shock absorber unexpectedly takes a fall.

Abstract: A steering tie rod or similar strut for motor vehicles with a securing member (4) acting in the longitudinal direction of the steering tie rod is described, which securing member comes into action when a defined, axially acting load value is exceeded. In another variant of the present invention, the length of the steering tie rod may undergo a limited change after the securing member has been overcome, so that limited fitness for use of the vehicle is maintained.

Abstract: A device for separating a space for cargo in a vehicle, for example in an aircraft cabin or compartment, is constructed for keeping pieces of cargo, for example baggage, in place and to even intercept cargo pieces that may have gotten loose. Such a structure is secured to the vehicle, e.g. an aircraft body, by ceiling brackets and floor mountings. The wall itself is a multilayer structure with different layers provided for different purposes. At least one layer or strut structure is arranged for taking up impact energy effective in a direction in which impact forces are effective, primarily in the travel direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A passive impact energy absorbing collapsible steering column assembly including a main support bracket fixed at its base to the steering column body and having side members extending in the direction of the steering column and disposed on opposite sides of the steering column. Each side member including a guide slot bifurcating the side member into separate side rail portions, one of which constitutes a guide rail and the other constituting an impact energy absorbing side rail. A bolt is passed through each guide slot to secure the main support bracket to a support structure and is of a diameter greater than the width of the guide slot thereby offering resistance through bending deformation of the energy absorbing side rail portion to the collapse of the steering column body throughout the period of sustained impact.

Abstract: In the case of an apparatus for the fixing of the hydraulic unit of an ABS and/or an ASR in the motor space of a street vehicle, the hydraulic unit is axially supported between one forward and two rearward rubber buffers which are arranged on a console which, in turn, is fixed on the vehicle body. In order to achieve, during an impact of the vehicle on an obstacle, a detaching of the anchoring of the hydraulic unit from the console or the body of the vehicle, at least one holding element of the forward rubber buffer is implemented with a defined low holding force which, starting from a minimum deceleration of the vehicle, results in a deflection of the holding element and thus in a release of the hydraulic unit. This holding element may be constructed to be pivotable or bendable. In a special development, a rivet which, in the case of a crash, acts as a desired breaking point, is provided for the fixing of the console on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle door, for a passenger automobile which in the closed position has its door frame juxtaposed with the outwardly facing part of the threshold for the door opening of the vehicle body, is provided at the level of this threshold with a horizontal strut which can be corrugated for controlled collapse and extends normal to the door plane.

Abstract: An impact girder for a door or side wall of a passenger vehicle which has a hollow space extending along the length of a beam having compression and tension flanges. In the region between a central zone and the ends of the beam, the compression flange is formed with a pair of slots providing control deformation of the beam upon application of a force to the central region.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing steering column apparatus has energy-absorbing members fixedly connected one end to the mounting plates of a column bracket and releasably connected at the other end to corresponding bolts. Each energy-absorbing member is provided with a first U-shaped folded portion in the middle, and an end of the energy-absorbing member is folded by 180.degree. in a direction opposite to the first folded portion to form a second folded portion with a radius of curvature substantially smaller than that of the first folded portion each energy-absorbing member is further provided, at an end closer to the first folded portion than to the second one, with an integral flat plate portion having opposite lateral parts folded toward the first folded portion to form a pair of folded edges which are joined to the surface of the corrresponding mounting plate, so that the first folded portion of the energy-absorbing member is supported between the mounting plate and the flat plate portion.

Abstract: A component which is to be installed for an absorption of energy with an ideal displacement-compressive force characteristic consists of a prismatic straight metal rod, which is long relative to its transverse dimensions and is adapted to inelastically buckle in the direction of the axis of its larger principal moment of inertia under an axially acting compressive load and is provided with spur teeth, which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction and are provided on at least one of the broadsides, which extend at right angles to the axis of the larger principal moment of inertia.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device, suitable for use in the leg structure of aircraft passenger seating for the purpose of attenuating crash forces, having first and second attachment fittings 11, 21 with a tube 10 of fiber reinforced plastics material extending between them. Tube 10 has a crush initiation band 17 at which buckling of the tube commences upon compressive overload. Long, tough fibers are used as the reinforcing material in the tube so that, when compression of the device has concluded, there is a residual tensile capability. Successful operation of the device is facilitated by providing attachment fitting 12 with a slider 15 which helps to maintain the collapsing portion of the tube in axial alignment with the uncollapsed portion. The slider also acts as a tube wall straightener to unbuckle the collapsed fibers when tensile load is applied.

Abstract: An impact damper or an energy absorbing device having at least two tubes which telescope one into the other and are configured especially for motor vehicles for the dampening of forces on a vehicle which crashes into an obstacle. In the inner space or interior of the impact damper, there may be included at least one dampening fluid which is filled through a filling device; a throttling point; and at least one component which confines the at least one dampening fluid in the inner space.

Abstract: A bellows type shock absorber comprises a sealed bellows, a shock absorbing column which is provided with a chamber around it inside the bellows and which is along the axial line of the bellows and combined with the bellows so that it physically varies in conjunction with expansion and contraction of the bellows. Also, the bellows type shock absorber may have a through hole which communicates the internal chamber and the outside, and preferably the shock absorbing column is made of a kind of gelled material with a penetration value of approximately 50 to 200. This shock absorber is provided with the main bellows and a sub-bellows having a spring constant differing from that of the main bellows and a through hole which communicates the internal chamber of the main bellows and the internal chamber of the sub-bellows.

Abstract: A support (26) for mounting an energy absorbing steering column is disclosed as including a metal strap (30) that extends transversely with respect to the steering axis A and has a central portion (32) that mounts the steering column as well as having opposite ends (38) each of which includes a mounting portion (40) for mounting on the vehicle. The strap includes a pair of U-shaped portions (42) located between the central portion (32) and the opposite ends (38) thereof with the open end of each U-shaped portion (42) opening in the same direction as each other along the steering axis. Movement of the steering column along the steering axis deforms the strap to straighten the U-shaped portions (42) and absorb energy. Clamping connections (44) mount the mounting portions (40) of the strap (30) on opposite sides of the U-shaped portions such that pivoting of the mounting portions cooperates with straightening of the U-shaped portions to increase the steering column movement that absorbs energy.